Posted
by
timothy
on Thursday March 29, 2012 @07:29AM
from the waiting-for-the-snl-sketch dept.

cylonlover writes "In an effort to provide a more accurate alternative to conventional cell culture and animal models, researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University have developed a microdevice that mimics the structure, physiology, and mechanics of the human intestine. The so-called 'gut-on-a-chip' could help provide new insights into intestinal disorders and be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential treatments."

I for one would welcome a modular digestive system.
Celiac disease, Crohn's disease are just 2 of many afflictions where science still have to find a real solution for.
Just replacing a gut would be awesome, tailor made to be ignored by your immune system.

Summary and TFA seem to skim over the main area where this technology will likely see application--in looking at drug permeability and transport across the intestinal membrane. This is something that gets examined for EVERY orally administered drug and right now this is done primarily with cell culture monolayers of intestinal cells. This model allows for the addition of peristaltic forces and other stressors to give a more physiologically relevant system.